VOLIUNTEERS in Carhampton have been busy ensuring that both flora and fauna have a safe haven in the village by carrying out regular grounds maintenance duties in the churchyard.

Churchyards play a vital role as areas of unimproved grassland and campaigners have been highlighting their importance during National Cherishing Churchyards Week.

Carhampton churchyard is kept tidy solely by volunteers who aim to retain a peaceful and respectful resting place for loved ones while still allowing areas suitable for meadow wildflowers to flourish.

As well as close-mowed areas, there are sections of natural meadow featuring wild flowers such as clover, moon daisies, birds-foot trefoil, vetches, speedwell and yarrow amidst a huge selection of grasses.

The flowers are good for bees and butterflies, while the grasses provide homes for moths, voles and frogs, toads and slow worms.

In addition, there are two areas of cultivated and tended cottage-garden wild flowers such as marigold, perennial wall flower, mallow, Californian poppy and cornflowers.

All the flowers and meadow areas will be left untouched until the end of July so that they can set seed ready for next year.